Why vaccination is a central topic for new parents
Becoming a parent also means entering a world of medical decisions that you may not have anticipated. Vaccination is one of the first questions families ask themselves, often as early as maternity. Between conflicting information found online, advice from friends and family, and the pediatrician's recommendations, it can be difficult to navigate. This article provides a clear, factual overview, rooted in official French sources, to help parents approach this topic with serenity and confidence.
The vaccination schedule in France: what the State prévoit
In France, the vaccination schedule is established annually by the Ministry of Health, on the recommendation of the High Authority for Health (HAS). It specifies the recommended vaccines, the necessary doses, and the ages at which they should be administered. This schedule is freely available on the ameli.fr website and on the Santé Publique France portal.
For infants, the first vaccinations begin at two months of age. The recommended vaccination schedule for children aged 0 to 2 years notably includes:
- At 2 months: hexavalent vaccine (diphtheria, tetanus, polio, whooping cough, Haemophilus influenzae type b, hepatitis B) and vaccine against meningococcal C and pneumococcal.
- At 4 months: second dose of the same vaccines.
- At 11 months: booster doses, according to the 2+1 schedule.
- At 12 months: vaccination against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), as well as against meningococcal C.
- Between 16 and 18 months: second dose of MMR.
This schedule is regularly updated based on epidemiological data and new scientific recommendations. It is therefore advisable to consult the latest version available on the Santé Publique France website or ask your doctor or pediatrician for the updated version.
Which vaccines are mandatory?
Since January 1, 2018, eleven vaccines have been mandatory for children born from that date, compared to three previously. This legislative evolution, brought about by the 2018 Social Security financing law, was motivated by a worrying decrease in vaccination coverage in certain regions of France.
The eleven mandatory vaccines are: diphtheria, tetanus, polio (which were already mandatory), whooping cough, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae type b, meningococcal C, and pneumococcal. These vaccines are 100% covered by Health Insurance when administered as part of the vaccination schedule.
It is important to note that this obligation applies to children up to 18 months of age. Beyond that, the boosters provided for in the vaccination schedule remain strongly recommended but are no longer subject to this legal obligation. In practice, compliance with the vaccination schedule is checked when registering for daycare or kindergarten.
Recommended but non-mandatory vaccines
Beyond the eleven mandatory vaccines, the HAS also recommends other vaccinations that are not subject to a legal obligation but are included in the vaccination schedule. This is notably the case for the seasonal flu vaccine, recommended for children with certain risk factors, or the rotavirus vaccine, which protects against a common cause of severe gastroenteritis in infants.
These vaccines are offered by the doctor or pediatrician based on the child's profile and the recommendations in force. Their prescription and administration remain a medical decision shared with the parents.
Vaccines and side effects: what we know
It is natural for parents to wonder about the possible side effects of vaccines. Available data, from clinical trials and post-marketing pharmacovigilance, show that the vast majority of side effects are benign and transient: redness or slight pain at the injection site, mild fever, irritability in the hours following vaccination.
Serious side effects are exceptionally rare. The HAS and the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) continuously monitor pharmacovigilance data to detect any unusual signals. In case of doubt about your child's reaction after vaccination, do not hesitate to contact your doctor or dial 15 in case of emergency.
It is also useful to remember that the collective benefit of vaccination — what is called herd immunity — also protects people who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons, such as infants who are too young or immunocompromised individuals.
How to discuss vaccination with your pediatrician
The relationship of trust with the healthcare professional who follows your child is essential. If you have questions or concerns about a particular vaccine, it is perfectly legitimate to express them during a consultation. A good professional will take the time to answer you clearly, without minimizing your concerns.
Here are some useful questions to ask:
- What is the purpose of this vaccine and what disease does it protect against?
- What are the possible side effects and how to manage them at home?
- Are there any specific contraindications for my child?
- Is the vaccine reimbursed by Health Insurance?
Your child's health record, given at birth, is also a valuable tool: it contains vaccination recommendations and allows tracking of vaccinations throughout the child's life.
Official resources to consult
To access reliable and up-to-date information on vaccination, here are the reference sources in France:
- Santé Publique France (santepubliquefrance.fr): complete vaccination schedule, epidemiological data, explanatory infographics.
- Ameli.fr (ameli.fr): information on reimbursements, available vaccines in pharmacies, and administrative procedures.
- HAS (has-sante.fr): scientific recommendations and expert opinions on vaccination policies.
- ANSM (ansm.sante.fr): pharmacovigilance data and information on authorized medicines and vaccines in France.
A slow parenting perspective on vaccination
The philosophy of slow parenting, which we advocate at Treelys, invites us to take the time to understand before acting, not to give in to social pressure in one direction or another, and to build a relationship of trust with the professionals who support your family. Vaccination is no exception to this approach: it deserves to be approached calmly, with curiosity and openness, relying on reliable sources rather than rumors or isolated testimonies.
Taking care of your child's health also means taking care of yourself as a parent. If you are going through a period of doubt or anxiety about these medical decisions, do not hesitate to talk to your doctor or a trusted healthcare professional. You can also read our article on parental sleep or on parental mental load, two topics that closely affect the daily lives of new parents.
